New Delhi, May 7:  The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected review petition filed by 21 opposition parties, led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu seeking 50 percent counting using voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT). Last Month, opposition parties filed the plea in the top court to review its judgment rejecting 50 percent random physical verification of electronic voting machines using VVPATs.

Meanwhile, on April 8, the apex court directed the Election Commission (EC) to increase physical counting of VVPAT slips to five random electronic voting machines (EVMs) in each Assembly segment/constituency. However, according to an earlier EC guideline, only the VVPAT slips from one EVM in every Assembly segment/constituency was subjected to physical verification. The EC had said that 50% random physical verification of VVPATs would delay Lok Sabha poll results of 2019 by around six days.

The Lok Sabha elections in the country are taking place in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. Till now five phases of parliamentary polls have taken place. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. With the announcement of election dates, the Model of Conduct (MCC) has come into place with immediate effect.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 07, 2019 11:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).